Stamp or label delivery mechanism.



B. D. STRAIGHT.

STAMP 0B. LABEL DELIVERY MECHANISM.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 26, 1903. 1 072 054. Patented Sept. 2, 1913.

UNITED s'rarns PATENT OFFICE.

BENNETT D. STRAIGHT, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO MAIL-OM-ETER COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

STAMP OR LABEL DELIVERY MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 26, 1909.

Patented Sept. 2, 191.3.

Serial No. 509,693.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, BENNETT D. SrRAioH'r, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Stamp or Label Delivery Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The invention relates to a delivery mechanism for stamps or labels in web or strip form designed for use particularly in connection with envelop sealing and stamping mechanism, or in vending machines.

The primary object of the invention is to produce a' mechanism of this character wherein any variations in the proportion of the stamp, due to the expansion or contraction of the web or inaccurate impcrforating, will be corrected, and the stamp in every instance delivered so as to be severed along the proper division line of the strip, usually defined by a series of transverse perforations.

The invention consists in the novel and simple construction of the delivery mechanism, in the peculiar arrangement and combination of parts, and in various details of construction as will be hereinafter set forth.

In the drawings,Figure 1 is a top plan view of apparatus embodying my invention; Figs. 2 and 3 are enlarged sectional views, illustrating the parts of the mechanism in different positions; Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on line w-w of F ig.- 3; and Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view.

In general, the mechanism comprises a suitable feed mechanism for advancing a web or strip of stamps or labels in lengths exceeding the stamp or section to be severed; a stop, so associated with the feed mechanism as to cause an arching or buckling of the advanced section; releasing mechanism permitting the arched section of the strip to straighten; and means for subsequently gripping or holding the strip to permit of the severance of the stamp or label.

The detail construction of the mechanism is as follows:

A represents a suitable supporting frame, provided with a longitudinally extending bed or table section B having formed transversely therein an opening C extending from side to side, as shown. I p

D represents a feed mechanism, which I have here shown as consisting of a pair of feed rollers D and E, arranged transversely of the table with their line of contact Within the transverse opening in the bed. The upper roller is mounted in stationary bearings in the frame, while the journals of the lower roll are supported in spring bearings F, permitting a vertical play of the roller for a purpose hereinafter set forth.

The forward end of the bed terminates in an upright or extension G, constituting the stop mechanism for the apparatus, the front portion of which, together with the end portion of the bed, is cut away as indicated, forming an opening I through which the delivered stamp or label may be grasped by the hand of the operator.

The drive mechanism for the rolls I have shown as consisting of intermeshing gear pinions I and J on two adjoining ends of the rolls, and a segmental gear K mounted upon a transverse shaft L adapted to mesh with the upper roll pinion and to be operated by a handle or crank L.

Any form of releasing mechanism may be em'ployed that will permit the web or strip to shift sn'tiiciently to allow the arched or buckled section to straighten. In this instance I have provided for releasing the web by separating the rolls, the mechanism comprising a pair of pivoted links P, one arranged at each side of the framework, de-

pending links Q connected at their lower ends to the lower roller, and cams R upon the segmental gear shaft adapted to engage and depress the links, and correspondingly the lower roll, there being a notch S formed in each link in which the cam, immediately after engagement with said link, will project into, thus reducing to a minimum the time of separation of the rollers. The subsequent gripping or holding of the web to allow of the severance of the stamp is effected by the restoration automatically of the lower feed roll through the agency of the spring bearings.

The web, composed of a connected series of stamps or labels, is indicated by the reference-letter M, and the transverse series of perforations or apertures, defining the lines of separation, by the letter O. The web may be supported upon a suitable rcel (not shown), operutivcly associated with the feed mechanism.

The parts of the mechanism described are so arranged and proportioned that upon one complete revolution of the operating handle the feed rolls will first be revolved sufliciently to advance a length of web toward the stop exceeding in length the distance between these parts and the stamp or label length, and the buckling or arching of the advanced strip will be effected by reason of the over-feed; the rolls will then separate, allowing the arched section of the strip to straighten or flatten, and cease rotation; and finally rengage with the strip or web to hold the latter against movement to allow of the severance of the delivered section. The stamp is then in a position where it may be grasped by the fingers of the operator and readily severed from the web. By this novel method of delivery, the position of the severing line will vary according to the variations in the strip or web, but it will always be positioned in advance of the feed rolls, and, by reason of the over-feed and subsequent return, maintained in proximity to the rolls, so that in every instance the stamp or label that is to be detached may be severed along the proper division line.-

I have shown in the drawings the mechanism in its most simple form and as particularly designed for use in connection with a stamp vending machine. It will be obvious, however, that it is applicable to other devices of a similar nature, and I do not therefore wish to be limited to the particular construction shown.

What I claim as my invention is,,.

1. In a stamp or label delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of web feeding rolls, means for operating the rolls to advance the web in lengths exceeding the sections to be severed, a stop member positioned in the path of the web and at a dlstance from the rolls to buckle the delivered section, means for depressing the lower roll of the feed mechanism to release the web, and means for subsequently restoring said roll to its feeding position.

2. In a stamp or label delivery mechanism, the combination with means for advancing a web of connected stamps or labels in lengths exceeding the section to be severed from the strip, of a stop acting in conjunction with the feed mechanism to arch or buckle the fed portion, releasing means for the web, and means for subsequently gripping the web to permit the severance of the delivered stamp or label.

3. In a stamp or label delivery mechanism the combination with a pair of web feeding rolls, one of said rolls being normally yieldably held in engagement with the other, a stationary stop positioned at a distance from the rolls to engage the end of the advanced web, and means for depressing the lower roll after the advanced portion of the web engages said stop for subsequently restoring said roll to its feeding position.

4. In a stamp or label delivery mechanism, the combination with a pair of web feeding rolls, one of said rolls being depressible, a driving train for operating said rolls, means for actuating'said drive train, a stop positioned a predetermined distance in advance of said rolls, and mechanism operated by said means for lowering the depressible roll permitting the subsequent restoring of said roll to its feeding position.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses;

BENNETT D. STRAIGHT.

-Witnesses:

W. J. BELKNAP, ADELAIDE J. ADAMS. 

